DC police probe links between fire, woman shot by officer

Renita Nettles was waving a knife just a few feet away from the officer in Washington DC, in the USA. That account was confirmed by witnesses who spoke to The Washington Post.

Firefighters and police were called to the housing estate after a fire caught hold in Ms Nettles’ mother’s home.

As a woman recovers in the hospital after being shot by a D.C. police officer, the city’s police union is offering reaction to cellphone video that was taken from the scene.

A knife-wielding woman who was shot by a District of Columbia police officer has been charged with assault and arson. Nettles was charged with starting that fire, which was still burning when she was shot. She is said to be hospitalized and in stable condition.

An internal investigation into the shooting has begun and the officer involved has been placed on paid leave, which is typical in such instances. Gwendolyn Crump, a police spokeswoman, said his name would not be released.

“The fact is it appears in the video that he was threatened with an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death, and at that point in time, he’s allowed or authorized to use deadly force”, Pemberton told the TV station.